ouch!

Rylee's had a rough couple of weeks.  A couple weeks ago she was stung by a "naughty bee". This is her sad face:

 She immediately asked for a sticker.  She just kept crying and crying.  We felt so bad. Poor girl, after benadryl and a nap she felt much better.

 Kelsey however was able to benefit from Rylee's misfortune as we attempted to console her with ice cream and Kelsey got a taste as part of the fall out.  She loved it - even if it was chocolate flavored. bla!!

 THEN, a couple days ago Rylee sprained her wrist.  She was in a lot of pain, and not using her arm at all.  It was so sad to see her hold her arm close to her body and block it with her other hand.  After several hours the pain didn't seem to subside and she was shaking, with some swelling we decided to take her to the insta care for an x-ray.  Just to be safe.

The support for the "bandage" seemed to help relieve the pressure/pain and a couple days later she asked to take it off.  If she did too much, and was in pain she'd revert back a little but she seems to be back to 100%.

Michael and I both commented how nice the extra snuggles for 2 days were.  But I guess all good things must come to an end.

 Kelsey girl is as monstrous as ever.  You know, eating the dirt from the plants, trying to drink from the toilet bowl (I already fished her own poop out of her mouth once), just touching one of Rylee's toys makes her go bazerk. But, man she's cute.

At Kelsey's appointment last month her stats proved that she's still really tall, but she only gained 3 oz in 3 months.  The fact that she's still gaining is good - and she certainly doesn't look malnourished- but she should be gaining more than that.  So, we left with instructions to offer her lots of food/snacks and then add a feeding (nurse/bottle) back in.  She was down to just 3 feedings a day.  I'm not sure if its a supply problem, but she refused the before bed nursing several months ago.  I loved being 'done' with that roll by 4-5 for a solid 15 hours.  So she gets a bottle now.  She started by barely drinking an extra ounce - after about a week of that she drinks more now (usually 6).  The Dr said if I don't think she's getting more calories to bring her in for a weight check in December though, I don't think that will be necessary. But seriously does eating dirt and play dough count?

you've got mail

I don't work nearly the hours I used to in October, but I'm still busier.  As much as I try/tried not to work while the kids are awake, that's just not always an option.  I am very blessed to be able to do what little I do from home.  I'm not the most organized or scheduled person and its definitely not always easy - It kind of broke my heart when Rylee asked me to close the computer a couple weeks ago.  I think she heard "let me finish this email" a few too many times as after a bath one night she exclaimed "I need to check my email!!" I said Ok, go check it! Of course she ran to the actual computer first until I reminded her she has her own toy laptop.  She immediately opened it and set it on her lap (usually where our computer sets) and got to work.

 

I laughed.

 

Daddy rolled his eyes and said "are you serious?"

 

 

Gotta keep in contact with all her nursery friends.

She loves it when I open up a word document and let her point out letters and type away.  I think its hilarious when she tries to use the monitor like the kindle.  And I wonder what devises she will attmept to teach me how to use over the phone over and over again in thirty years? {love you Mom!! ;) }

Trick-or-Treat in Texas

Trick-or-Treating in Texas is pretty different than what either of us experienced growing up.  We, (like the rest of the country I imagine) went from door to door.  You know, walk up to the actual door to knock/ring the doorbell and we never skipped houses.

So not the case in Texas.

If you hand out candy (and there are MANY who do not) you must have ALL the lights on and 90% of those homes set up camp chairs on the driveway/porch and just hang out outside all night passing out candy. No knocking necessary.

I've thought that was really kindof funny. Though its nice to not have to walk all the way up to the door and wait for someone to answer, I still find it a little odd.

But in other ways, it could also be more of a community building thing.  Many neighbors actually set up their 'stations' next to each other (maybe we would too if we actually stayed home- or knew or neighbors :/ ). The weather is great (a little on the warm side actually if you're out for long) and no need to travel back and forth from the couch to the door all night.

I met with a neighbor and actually took the girls to a few houses on our block - which was a first (Our girls took swimming lessons together and she lives just down the street). Then we headed to a friends house to hit up their neighborhood together.  I always love it when people get all decked out for holidays.  I don't so much go crazy myself but I definately enjoy the work others do.  There is one house in particular that decorates A LOT for both Halloween and Christmas.  We call it the "spooky house" every time we get the mail we walk around the block to take a peak at the decorations.  This was the first year we've gone by on Halloween, and its even better.  This gremlin blocked the sidewalk and made the kids walk between his legs. I think I actually could have convinced Rylee to do it if the other kids we were with weren't freaking out, so he moved over.  She did give him a high-five though. They also had their convertible in the driveway with a skeleton in each of the seats :)

My other favorite is a house has a pop-corn maker running and hands out pop-corn.  I love something unique and fun.  We had a great night, staying up past bed-time but who cares? we all slept in.

Rylee had chocolate for breakfast and asked to go trick-or-treating this morning- it could be a long year. :)  Kelsey was happy to be strolled around all night and enjoyed the ride.

costumes

Our ward trunk or treat was a couple weekends ago.  Though we nearly filled our loan limit at the library with Halloween books, I didn't really talk to Rylee about dressing up.  I had an idea of what she would wear and was going to leave it at that.

 

Then she became obsessed with this book. And 3 days before the party asked to be a dinosaur.  I debated what I should do and told Michael that if I had everything I needed to make a dinosaur I'd do it, otherwise operation change the 2-year olds mind would be put to the test.

 

I remembered a post I'd pinned several months ago and decided if she had an old jacket that still fit I'd do it. Well, I had the everything I'd need (a jacket and matching/coordinating fabric) I decided to make my sweet girl's dream come true. I showed Rylee a picture of what I would make and that night as I tucked her into bed she was so sad that 1. she didn't have her dino tail. and 2. she wasn't helping me make her dino tail. (I didn't have time for her to 'help')

 I think it turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

 When I finally finished and she tried it on she kept hitting all sorts of things as she's turn around. Always saying "sorry" haha.

 You get a little look at our current garden here:

 Kelsey has been rotating between both of Rylee's previously worn costumes. This little gnome kills me.

 I'm not sure what I love most about this picture- loving up on Kelsey or Dino-Rylee getting into character photo bombing the picture.

 **on a side note, I got it trouble for not making a 'tent' correctly with blankets.  Some things only a Daddy can do right.

 I know I'm ridiculous but I couldn't help throwing together a witch costume for Dolly (yes, that is her name).  She's come along to every activity too.

 Here we are headed to the HOA Fall Festival (which was really fun btw - lots of games/treats for kids and plenty of booths and snacks for us). Its been good to have several times for her to wear her costume *trunk-or-treat *fall festival *story time @the library *Halloween night

We've got plans to meet up with friends tomorrow, and who could resist .50 corn dogs?

I feel like I'm on repeat, but the older Rylee gets and the more she enjoys and gets excited for Holidays, the more fun they are for us too. I'm so excited for the rest of the year!

voting

Did our civic duty and voted this week.

Maybe one day I'll live in a state where my vote actually matters (not that I'm disapointed in our state's 'expected' outcome).

 

I was the crazy person that took my two kids to the poll with me.  Well, you know our vote site is the library and we were already there for story time.

 

Rylee kept the older lady in front of us well entertained, as with most parents she went on and on about how she misses when her kids were little.  I guess I understand - Rylee says some pretty hilarious stuff.  Her life is so simple.

 

Rylee asked if she could vote too.

Seriously though, the most important decision she has to make is whether to watch Dora or Super-Why

 

We picked up more than our fair share of "I voted" stickers and met Daddy for lunch at the park.

amusment parks

A couple weeks ago we had some friends invite us to 6 flags with them.  Their employer had the park for a work party and sold discounted tickets to friends.  We couldn't pass it up.

 

 We had a lot of fun, especially Rylee! There were quite a few rides she was tall enough for, as long as I rode with her. (and we were able to sneak her on one she wasn't :))

 The little swing was by far her favorite.  She giggled and smiled the whole ride saying things like "WEEE!" and " I like this!" Immediately after we'd get off she'd say "more more more (while signing) please more?! again?! please, please please!" Who could say no to such manners? We'd go back and forth across the 'road' and ride the little school bus.  She still occationally mentions her gratitude for 6 flags in her prayers and asks if we can go back often.  I wish!

 I did however get a pass to SeaWorld.  We literally live 10 minutes away and its a bit better for smaller kids.  I'm still working on convincing Michael to get a pass as well (the rest of this year is free when you purchase a pass for next year).  In the mean time the girls and I will just have to go during the day.  And because the kids outnumbered me, I didn't get many pictures.  I did get one of Rylee playing with the scubadiver feeding the fish.

Night Out

"National" Night Out was this past Tuesday.  Its purpose is for people to spend the evening outdoors getting to know your neighbors.  I heard the police department especially supports these evenings. The more we know and get involved in the community, the safer families can be sort of thing.  Anyway, our HOA sponsored an event at our park. They had dinner, several booths, and a talent show.  This was my favorite of the activities the HOA has put on - or maybe its because Rylee is older and can enjoy more things. not sure which.

 

A local petting zoo was there giving pony rides (I thought Rylee would be scared, but she LOVED it!!) and they had the CUTEST baby pigs.

 

 There was a face painting booth where the kids could choose from about a dozen designs. The football was 100% Rylee's idea. I pointed out all the cutesy girly things like a butterfly/ladybug/flower but NOPE. she wanted the football :)  Her Daddy was so proud.

 She kept asking to go back and give Elmo a hug.  She was much more hesitant around Buzz Lightyear, I guess I should introduce her to the wonder that is Toy Story.

The police put on a little dog show, explaining all the things they train their dogs to do.  We were able to get the kids finger (and in Kelsey's case foot) printed for our files, and Rylee and I sat/played in a police car pushing the sirens.

Pretty sure the only 'neighbors' we talked to were ward members, Michael had meetings so he wasn't able to stay the whole time but we had fun.

on a side note: Michael was interested (and therefore nominated) to be the landscape commitee chair for the HOA.  He's excited to get more involved.